CHAPTER II. 
THE DEPARTURE.-THE TORNADO. — ARRIVAL 
AT “ THE BUSH.” 
SET out early on March 19th, a day, 
at that time, to me the most melancholy 
in the year, but now regarded with 
philosophic indifference. A parting 
visit to the gallant “ Griffons,” who threw the 
slipper, in the shape of three hearty cheers and a 
“tiger,” wasted a whole morning. It was 12.30 
p.m. before the mission boat turned her head to¬ 
wards the southern bank, and her crew began to 
pull in the desultory manner of the undisciplined 
negro. 
The morn in of had been clear but close, till a fine 
sea breeze set in unusually early. The doctor ” 
seldom rises in the Gaboon before noon at this 
season ; often he delays his visit till 2 p.m., and 
sometimes he does not appear at all. On the other 
hand, he is fond of late hours. Before we had pro¬ 
gressed a mile, suspicious gatherings of slaty-blue 
cloud-heaps advanced from the north-east against 
